Methods and apparatus for displaying caller-ID information for a call waiting caller

ABSTRACT

A caller-ID device and/or an integrated caller-ID and answering machine device which is configurable 1) to play a pre-recorded announcement for the user when the caller-ID information received over the PSTN corresponds to stored information indicating an important caller; 2) to play a pre-recorded &#34;block-the-blocker&#34; outgoing message for the caller when a blocked-caller-ID code is received; and/or 3) to play a pre-recorded &#34;reject call&#34; outgoing message for the caller when the caller-ID information corresponds to stored information indicated an undesirable caller. Also disclosed are an economical method and apparatus for displaying caller-ID information for a call-waiting caller simultaneously with the caller-ID information of a present caller and a method and apparatus for enabling a caller-ID device to selectively dial the last seven digits of a phone number, the area code and the last seven digits, or a &#34;1&#34;, the area code, and the last seven digits of a phone number.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/788,508 filed Jan. 24,1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,942 and provisional applications 60/037,738and 60/031,659 filed Nov. 21, 1996 and Nov. 20, 1996, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a telephone device forprocessing caller-ID information. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a method and apparatus for processing caller-IDinformation, a method and apparatus for displaying caller-ID informationfor a call-waiting caller, and a method and apparatus for dialing astored phone number from a caller-ID device.

Several telephone companies now offer caller-ID services for telephoneusers. These services enable a user to identify the name and/or thephone number of the caller before choosing to accept the call. Telephonecompanies also provide a blocking service for those users who wish toremain anonymous.

Devices for processing the caller-ID information, including block codes,have proliferated as well. Typical devices include informationprocessing circuitry in the device, usually comprising a controller anda memory, to show the caller's name and/or phone number on a suitabledisplay device. Some device are further provided with circuitry fromcomparing the number of a calling party with stored information, and forclassifying the call as either "wanted" or "rejected" based on thestored information. When the call is classified as "wanted," the numberis displayed to the user and a ring indication is provided to indicateto the user that a desired call has been received. When the call isclassified as "rejected," the number is displayed and the ringindication is disabled. An example of such a device is provided inco-pending U.S. patent application No. 08/540,532, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

A caller-ID telephone is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,145,hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes, whichincludes many of the features described above. In particular, U.S. Pat.No. 5,265,145 describes a caller-ID telephone which compares thecaller-ID information to stored information in the telephone device.When there is a match, the telephone displays the caller's name andnumber on the device. In addition, the device includes circuitry forcausing the caller-ID device to spelling or speak the name of the callerfor the user. The present invention is a further development of U.S.Pat. No. 5,265,145.

Conventional caller-ID devices have the capability to display caller-IDinformation for only one incoming caller at a time. This is because thedisplay device employed in the conventional caller-ID device istypically a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED)display, or comparable device, which provides only three rows for thedisplay of caller-ID information to the user. One row is used to displaythe name of the caller, a second row is used to display the phone numberof the caller, and a third row is used to display other informationabout the caller including, but not limited to, the time and the date.

When a call or conversation is in progress, the display of theconventional caller-ID device shows the caller-ID information for thepresent caller. When a second incoming call signal is received on thecall-waiting line, the conventional caller-ID device erases thecaller-ID information related to the present caller and replaces it withthe caller-ID information of the call-waiting caller.

Often, the user would like to simultaneously view the caller-IDinformation for both the present caller and the call-waiting caller. Forexample, when the user needs to alternate frequently between the twocallers (by employing a "flash" key, for example), or when the userengages in a three-way conference call with two callers, it would bepreferable if the caller-ID device could display the caller-IDinformation for both callers at the same time. However the conventionalthree row display is inadequate for this purpose.

One solution proposed is to add three more rows to the display unit(i.e., six rows in total) so that the complete caller-ID information ofboth callers could be displayed simultaneously. However, this solutionis not economical because the size of the display would generally exceedcost, power, and size considerations for the caller-ID device and wouldrequire a doubling of the display driver capability.

The user of the conventional caller-ID device may cause the device todisplay an entry of the caller-ID information stored therein. Inaddition, the user may cause the conventional caller-ID device to dialthe phone number of the entry by pressing a DIAL key, or equivalent,while the entry is shown in the display. However, the caller-ID devicedoes not know whether to dial the last seven digits of the phone number;the area code plus the last seven digits of the phone number; or a "1",the area code, and the last seven digits of the telephone number. Thisproblem is exacerbated in certain metropolitan areas that include manydifferent area codes.

The conventional technique for addressing this problem is to enable theuser to store the area code(s) which should not be dialed in thecaller-ID device. Thereafter, when the user displays an entry andpresses the DIAL key, or equivalent, the conventional caller-ID devicecompares the area code of the displayed entry to the area code(s) storedtherein. When there is a match, the conventional caller-ID device dialsthe selected seven-digit phone number without dialing the area code.Typically, the conventional caller-ID device is configured to store onlyone such area code which should not be dialed; however, some latermodels have the capability to store up to three such area codes.

The problem with the conventional approach is that, for some areas ofthe country, the limited storage capacity of the conventional caller-IDdevice does not accommodate all of the area codes within the localcalling area. Moreover, the conventional approach does not address theproblem where a "1" must be dialed with the area code and phone number.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for overcoming theshortcomings of caller-ID devices in the prior art.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method andapparatus for processing caller-ID information. One embodiment of thefirst aspect includes a caller-ID device and/or an integrated caller-IDand answering machine device which is configurable 1) to play apre-recorded announcement for the user when the caller-ID informationreceived over the PSTN corresponds to stored information indicating animportant caller; 2) to play a pre-recorded "block-the-blocker" outgoingmessage for the caller when a blocked-caller-ID code is received; and/or3) to play a pre-recorded "reject call" outgoing message for the callerwhen the caller-ID information corresponds to stored informationindicated an undesirable caller, among other capabilities.

Another embodiment of the first aspect includes a method for configuringa caller-ID device to process the caller-ID information of a desiredcaller; and a method for configuring a caller-ID device to process thecaller-ID information of a undesired caller, including ablocked-caller-ID caller.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides aneconomical method and apparatus for displaying caller-ID information fora call-waiting caller which overcomes the shortcomings in the prior art.One embodiment of the second aspect includes a novel display panel whichincludes an additional row for the display of caller-ID information fora call-waiting caller simultaneously with the caller-ID information of apresent caller.

Another embodiment of the second aspect includes a novel method fordisplaying the caller-ID information of a call-waiting caller.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method andapparatus for enabling a caller-ID device to selectively dial the lastseven digits of a phone number, the area code and the last seven digits,or a "1", the area code, and the last seven digits.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the remaining portionsof the specification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a caller-ID deviceembodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a flow-chart representation of an embodiment ofa method for processing caller-ID information according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a flow-chart representation of an embodiment of a method forprocessing an announcement code according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow-chart representation of an embodiment of a method forprocessing a reject code according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are a flow-chart representation of an embodiment ofa method for retrieving and processing a blocker code according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a first embodiment of a novel displaypanel according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a representation of a first variation of a second embodimentof a novel display panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a representation of a second variation of a second embodimentof a novel display panel according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of representative data for one caller beingoutput on the display panel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of representative data for two callers beingoutput on the display panel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a representation of a third embodiment of a novel displaypanel according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a representation of a fourth embodiment of a novel displaypanel according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a representation of a fifth embodiment of a novel displaypanel according to the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a flow-chart representation of a method for dialing a phonenumber in a caller-ID device according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Table of Contents

I. CONFIGURATION OF CALLER-ID DEVICE

II. DETAILED OPERATION

A. Caller-ID Memory Operation

B. Programming the Caller-ID Device

1. Important Caller Encoding/Recording

2. Reject Caller Encoding

3. Blocked-Caller Encoding

C. Processing Caller-ID Information

1. Important Caller Code Processing

2. Reject Caller Code Processing

3. Blocked-Caller Code Processing

D. Displaying Caller-ID Information for Call-Waiting Callers

E. Dialing Area Codes

I. CONFIGURATION OF CALLER-ID DEVICE

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a caller-ID device 10 which embodies thepresent invention. It comprises a line modulation circuit 12 coupled toa controller 16, a line demodulation circuit 14 coupled to controller16, a data storage unit 18 coupled to controller 16, a display unit 20coupled to controller 16, a user interface 22 coupled to controller 16,a sound transducer 24 coupled to controller 16, a voice recorder/voiceplayback circuit 26 coupled to controller 16, and a timer 28 coupled tocontroller 16.

Line modulation circuit 12 comprises polarity guard 30, dialing circuit32 and speech network 34. In the preferred embodiment, the input of linemodulation circuit 12 is coupled to controller 16 and the output iscoupled to the "Tip and Ring" lines of a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) (not shown). Line modulation circuit 12 receives datasignals at its input and converts them into modulated signals suitablefor transmission over the PSTN. The modulation techniques typicallyemployed are frequency-shift keying (FSK) and dual-tone multi-frequency(DTMF) modulation; however, other modulation scheme may also be suitablyemployed. Dialing circuit 32 and speech network 34 are conventionalcircuits and, therefore, require no detailed explanation.

Line demodulation circuit 14 comprises polarity guard 36, line interface38 and convertor 40. The input of line demodulation circuit 14 iscoupled to the Tip and Ring lines of PSTN, and the output of linedemodulation circuit 14 is coupled to controller 16. Line demodulationcircuit converts modulated data received at its input into a serial bitstream of data-carrying pulses recognizable by controller 16. Again,line interface 38 and convertor 40 are conventional circuits. Therefore,they require no detailed explanation.

Controller 16 is a simple commercially available micro-controller. Itcomprises a central processing unit (CPU) 42, read-only memory (ROM) 44,and random access memory (RAM) 46. RAM 44 and ROM 46 may be integratedwith CPU 42 or provided separately as discrete integrated circuits.Controller 16 is coupled to the remaining components of caller-ID device10 including line modulator 12, line demodulation 14, timer 28, userinterface 22, display unit 20, data storage unit 18, voicerecorder/voice playback circuit 26, and sound transducer 24.

Controller 16 is configurable to provide the following functions,without limitation: to classify and process caller-ID data received fromthe PSTN, to store data received from the PSTN or via the user interfaceinto designated areas of data storage unit 18 and to retrieve the same;to perform conventional telephone functions including dialing a phonenumber stored in memory, to append instruction codes to stored data; tocompare received data to stored data; to decode instructions codesappended to stored data, to generate a variety of control signalsaccording to the decoded instruction code(s), and to send information todisplay unit 20 for display to the user.

Data storage unit 18 is coupled to controller 16 and preferablycomprises RAM which may either be combined with RAM 46 in controller 16or provided as a discrete integrated circuit. In the preferredembodiment, data storage unit 18 is further sub-divided into designatedmemory areas including, without limitation, a caller-ID memory area, animportant-caller memory area, a reject-caller memory area, and anannouncement message storage area. In one embodiment of data storageunit 18, each memory area corresponds to a pre-defined range ofnon-overlapping memory addresses. Alternatively, the size and/orlocation of the memory areas in data storage unit 18 can vary accordingto the information stored therein. In this case, a separate table isprovided in data storage unit 18 to indicate the starting location of aspecified memory area. Each designated area stores data of a specifictype according to user-provided information or storage instructionsappended to received data.

Display unit 20 receives and decodes instructions from controller 16 tocause information to be displayed for the user. Preferably, display unit20 is a liquid crystal display (LCD); however, other types of displaydevices commonly used in commercial electronic devices may also besuitably employed.

User interface 22 is coupled to controller 16 and includes a pluralityof keys with which the user interacts to operate caller-ID device 10. Inthe preferred embodiment, the plurality of keys in user interface 22includes, without limitation, a mode key (not shown) for selecting oneor more operating modes of the caller-ID device, a "MAN RJ" key (notshown) for enabling a user to manually reject a caller shown in displayunit 20, a "REC *" key (not shown) for causing the caller-ID device torecord an announcement for playback either to the user or to a specifiedcaller, a "REJ #" key (not shown) for selecting one or morereject-caller modes, a cue key (not shown) and a review key (not shown)for reviewing a list of stored information via display unit 20, andthree dial keys (not shown) for initiating a variety of dialing actionsby the caller-ID device. The foregoing list is for exemplary purposesonly and is not intended to limit the number or type of keys which maysuitably be employed in user interface 22.

Sound transducer 24 comprises amplifier 48 and speaker 50. Soundtransducer 24 produces a variety of audible signals, including an alert,a ring alarm, and a variety of voice playback signals, according tocontrol signals output from controller 16.

Voice recorder/Voice Playback circuit 26 is coupled to controller 16 andto a microphone 52. In a preferred embodiment, voice recorder/voiceplayback circuit includes a digital signal processor (DSP) andassociated integrated circuits (e.g., an analog-to-digital converter,digital-to-analog converter) (not shown) which are configured to convertelectronic signals output by microphone 52 into sound data recognized bycontroller 16 and storable in data storage unit 18; and to convert sounddata stored in data storage unit 18 back into audible sounds suitablefor output on sound transducer 24.

Alternatively, voice recorder/voice playback circuit 26 is an analog ordigital audio recording device for storing sound data on a medium (notshown) which is independent of data storage unit 18. Suitableindependent media includes, without limitation, static RAM, dynamic RAM,asynchronous RAM, and flash memory.

Timer 28 is coupled to controller 16. It is configurable to measure atime period specified by controller 16 operating according to a program.When the specified time expires, timer 28 generates a time-out signalwhich is output to controller 16.

II. DETAILED OPERATION

A. Caller-ID Memory Operation

When the caller-ID device receives an incoming call, it shows thecaller-ID information for the incoming call on display unit 20. In thepreferred embodiment, the caller-ID information includes, withoutlimitation, the caller's name, the caller's phone number, the date ofthe call, and the time of the call. At the same time, the caller-IDdevice stores the caller-ID information of the incoming call in thecaller-ID memory area of data storage unit 18 for later access andreview by the user. Typically, the caller-ID memory area of data storageunit 18 includes sufficient memory to store the caller-ID information ofa pre-determined number of incoming calls (e.g., 20, 50, or 100). Whenthe caller-ID memory area is full and a new incoming call is received,the caller-ID device replaces the oldest entry in caller-ID memory areawith the caller-ID information of the new incoming call. The userreviews the entries stored in the caller-ID memory area of data storageunit 18 by pressing the cue and review keys (not shown) on userinterface 22.

B. Programming the Caller-ID Device

1. Important Caller Encoding/Recording

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, informationcorresponding to a list of up to 20 important callers may be stored inan important caller memory area of data storage unit 18 of the caller-IDdevice. The number of important caller that may be stored is notcritical and may vary. Each entry of stored important-caller informationcomprises data representing the name and/or phone numbers of animportant caller. The method for inputting important caller informationinto the caller-ID device will be described in the following paragraphs.

The user designates an important caller by selectively appending anannouncement code to a specified entry of the caller-ID memory area. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the announcement code isentered into a designated field or memory location adjacent to thedesired entry. In another embodiment of the present invention, theannouncement code is appended to the specified entry via a linked list(i.e., a pointer is added to the specified entry to indicate the memorylocation of the announcement code).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the announcement codecorresponds to data representing one or more asterisk, "*", symbols. Inthis case, the user appends an announcement code to a desired entry bypressing the "REC *" key one or more times while the data correspondingto the desired entry is shown in display unit 20. The caller-ID deviceshows the desired entry in display unit 20 when an incoming call signalfrom the corresponding caller is received, when the user activates thecue and review keys to scan through the list of entries in the caller-IDmemory area, or when the user enters the caller-ID information of thedesired caller via an alphanumeric keypad integrated with the caller-IDdevice. Appending an announcement code to the entry shown in displayunit 20 causes the caller-ID device to transfer the name and/or phonenumber of the desired caller into the important caller memory area ofdata storage unit 18 along with the appended announcement code.

In the announcement mode, the caller-ID device is configurable to make aspecified voice announcement to the user when an incoming call issubsequently received from an important caller. To so configure thecaller-ID device, the user presses the "REC *" key once within apredetermined time period while the name and/or number of the desiredentry is shown in the display unit 18. After pressing the "REC *" keyonce within the predetermine time period, the caller-ID-device appends avoice announcement code (e.g., "*") to the name and/or phone number ofthe desired entry and transfers them to the important caller memory areaof data storage unit 18. The caller-ID device then indicates that it isbeing configured to make a specified voice announcement of an importantcaller by, for example, displaying the following for approximately onesecond:

REC * [IMPORTANT CALLER NAME],

The period of time for display is not critical and may vary. Thecaller-ID device next prompts the user to record a voice announcementfor the specified important caller by, for example, displaying thefollowing:

"SPK AFTR BEP"

followed shortly thereafter by a conventional "beep" tone. The user thenrecords a preferred voice announcement for the specified caller, such asthe name of the caller, which is stored in the voice announcement memoryarea of data storage unit 18. A pointer is appended to the importantcaller entry for the specified caller to indicate the location (i.e.,address) of the preferred voice announcement for the specified caller.After recording, the caller-ID device replays the recorded voiceannouncement for verification. If the user is not satisfied with therecorded voice announcement, the user may replace the recorded voiceannouncement with a new recording by repeating the process describedabove.

In the announcement mode, the caller-ID device is also configurable toplayback a specialized outgoing greeting when an incoming call isreceived from an important caller. To so configure the caller-ID device,the user presses the "REC *" key two times within a predetermined timeperiod while the name and/or number of the specified important caller isshown in the display unit 20. After pressing the "REC *" key twicewithin the predetermine time period, the caller-ID device appends anoutgoing-greeting code (e.g., "**") to the name and/or phone number ofthe desired entry and transfers them to the important caller memory areaof data storage unit 18. The caller-ID device then indicates that it isbeing configured to output a specialized outgoing greeting to animportant caller by, for example, displaying the following forapproximately one second:

REC ** [IMPORTANT CALLER NAME],

The time for display is not critical and may vary. The caller-ID devicenext prompts the user to record a specialized outgoing greeting for thespecified important caller by, for example, displaying the following:

"SPK AFTR BEP"

followed shortly thereafter by a conventional "beep" tone. The user thenrecords a specialized outgoing greeting for the specified caller, forexample, "Hi, Mary, the time for our meeting tonight is 7:30 PM insteadof 6:30 PM." The specialized outgoing greeting is stored in data storageunit 18 in, for example, an outgoing-greeting memory area. In this case,a pointer is appended to the important caller entry for the specifiedcaller indicating the location (i.e., address) of the specializedgreeting for the specified caller. After recording, the caller-ID devicereplays the recorded outgoing greeting for verification. If the user isnot satisfied with the recorded outgoing greeting, the user may replaceit with a new recording by repeating the process described above.

If the user configures the caller-ID device to make a voice announcementto the user of an important caller (i.e., by appending a voiceannouncement code "*" to the desired caller information) and thereafteralso configures the device to playback a specialized greeting for thatsame caller (i.e., by appending an outgoing-greeting code "**" to thedesired caller-information), then the caller-ID device will both make anannouncement to the user and playback a specialized outgoing greetingwhen an incoming call signal is received from an important caller.

2. Reject Caller Encoding

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, informationcorresponding to a list of up to 12 reject callers (i.e., undesiredcallers) may be stored in the reject-caller memory area data storageunit 18 of the caller-ID device. Each entry of the reject-caller memoryarea comprises data representing the name and/or phone numbers of anundesirable caller The method for storing reject-caller information inthe caller-ID device is described in the following paragraphs.

The user designates a reject caller by selectively appending areject-caller code to a specified entry of the caller-ID memory area. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the reject-caller code isentered into a designated field or memory location adjacent to thedesired entry. In another embodiment of the present invention, thereject-caller code is appended to the specified entry via a linked list(i.e., a pointer is added to the specified entry to indicate the memorylocation of the reject-caller code).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reject-caller codecorresponds to data indicating one or more number symbols, "4". In thiscase, the user appends a reject-caller code to a specified entry bypressing the "REJ #" key one or more times while the data correspondingto the entry is shown in display unit 20. The specified reject caller isshown in display unit 20 when an incoming call signal from that calleris received, when the user activates the cue and review keys to scanthrough the list of entries in the caller-ID memory area, or when theuser enters the caller-ID information of the specified reject-caller viaan alphanumeric keypad integrated with caller-ID device. Appending areject-caller code to the entry shown in display unit 20 causes thecaller ID device to transfer the name and/or phone number of thespecified reject caller to the reject caller memory area of data storageunit 18 along with the appended reject-caller code.

In the reject-caller mode, the caller-ID device is configurable todeactivate the ring alarm and to reject a call silently when an incomingcall is received from a reject caller. To so configure the caller-IDdevice, the user presses the "REJ #" key once within a predeterminedtime period while the name and/or number of the specified reject calleris shown in the display unit 20. After pressing the "REJ #" key oncewithin the predetermine time period, the caller-ID device appends ano-message code to (e.g., "#") the name and/or phone number of thespecified reject caller and transfers them to the reject caller memoryarea of data storage unit 18. The caller-ID device then indicates thatit is being configured to deactivate the ring alarm and to reject thecall silently by, for example, displaying the following forapproximately one second:

RJ [REJECT CALLER NAME].

The time period for display is not critical and may vary. The caller-IDdevice next confirms that the configuration is complete for thespecified reject caller by, for example, displaying the word, "COMPLETE"and/or generating a conventional "beep" tone.

In the reject caller mode, the caller-ID device is also configurable toplay a pre-recorded outgoing reject message when an incoming call isreceived from a reject caller. To so configure the caller-ID device, theuser presses the "REJ #" key two times within a predetermined timeperiod while the name and/or number of the specified reject caller isshown in the display unit 20. After pressing the "REJ #" key twicewithin the predetermine time period, the caller-ID device appends areject-message code (e.g., "##") to the name and/or phone number of thespecified entry and transfers them to the reject caller memory area ofdata storage unit 18. The caller-ID device then indicates that it isbeing configured to play a pre-recorded outgoing reject message by, forexample, displaying the following for approximately one second:

RJ # [REJECT CALLER NAME].

The display time period is not critical and may vary. The caller-IDdevice next confirms that the configuration is complete for thespecified reject caller by, for example, playing the pre-recorded rejectmessage for the user. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, thepre-recorded reject message states, "The number you are calling will notaccept the call." The exact wording of the reject message is notcritical and may vary.

3. Blocked-Caller Encoding

The caller-ID device is configurable to operate in a reject-blocker modewherein the caller-ID device rejects incoming calls for which theblocked caller-ID feature has been enabled. In the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the user selects the reject-blocker mode bypressing the mode key (not shown) one or more times until the caller-IDdevice indicates that it is configured to reject blocked caller-IDcalls.

When the reject-blocker mode is enabled, the caller-ID device isconfigurable to silently reject an incoming call from a blocked-caller.To so configure the caller-ID device, the user presses the "REJ #" keyonce within a predetermined time period while a blocked call indicationis shown in the display unit 20. After pressing the "REJ #" key oncewithin the predetermine time period, the caller-ID device indicates thatit is being configured to silently reject the current and allsubsequently received blocked-calls by, for example, displaying thefollowing for approximately one second:

RJ BLOCKER.

The caller-ID device next confirms that the configuration is completeby, for example, displaying the word, "COMPLETE" and/or generating aconventional "beep" tone.

When the reject-blocker mode is enabled, the caller-ID device is alsoconfigurable to play a pre-recorded outgoing reject message when anincoming call is received from a blocked-caller. To so configure thecaller-ID device, the user presses the "REJ #" key two times within apredetermined time period while a blocked call indication is shown inthe display unit 20. After pressing the "REJ #" key twice within thepredetermine time period, the caller-ID device indicates that it isbeing configured to play a pre-recorded outgoing reject message for thecurrent and all subsequently received blocked-calls by, for example,displaying the following for approximately one second:

RJ # BLOCKER.

The caller-ID device next confirms that the configuration is completefor the specified reject caller by, for example, playing thepre-recorded reject message for the user.

When the reject-blocker mode is enabled, the caller-ID device is alsoconfigurable to play a pre-recorded, outgoing, disable-blocking messagewhen an incoming call is received from a blocked-caller. To so configurethe caller-ID device, the user presses the "REJ #" key three timeswithin a predetermined time period while a blocked call indication isshown in the display unit 20. After pressing the "REJ #" key three timeswithin the predetermine time period, the caller-ID device indicates thatit is being configured to play a pre-recorded, outgoing,disable-blocking message for the current and all subsequently receivedblocked-calls by, for example, displaying the following forapproximately one second:

RJ ## BLOCKER.

The caller-ID device next confirms that the configuration is completefor the specified reject caller by, for example, playing thepre-recorded, outgoing, disable-blocking message for the user. In thepreferred embodiment, the disable-blocking message states, "The numberyou are calling will not accept blocked calls. Please disable theblocking feature and try again." Other messages conveying the same ideamay also be suitably employed.

When the reject-blocker mode is enabled, the caller-ID device is alsoconfigurable to enable the user to manually select whether or not toplay a pre-recorded outgoing reject message when an incoming call inreceived for a blocked-caller. To so configure the caller-ID device, theuser presses the "REJ #" key four times within a predetermined timeperiod while a blocked call indication is shown in the display unit 20.After pressing the "REJ #" key four times within the predetermine timeperiod, the caller-ID device indicates that it is being configured toenable the user to manually select whether to play a pre-recorded,outgoing, reject message when a blocked-call is received by thecaller-ID device by, for example, displaying the following forapproximately one second:

RJ ### BLOCKER.

The caller-ID device next confirms that the configuration is completefor the specified reject caller by, displaying the word "COMPLETE"and/or generated a conventional "beep" tone.

C. Processing Caller-ID Information

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a flow-chart representation of a method forprocessing a caller-ID signal according to the present invention. Thesteps which are tagged are expanded in subsequent drawings and describedin much greater detail in subsequent sections. A step 100 is an entrypoint for the method. At a step 110, the caller-ID device is in an idlestate reflecting a condition where the caller-ID device is on-hook andno incoming calls are being received by the device. At a step 120, thecaller-ID device determines whether an incoming call signal has beendetected. If not, than the caller-ID device remains in an idle state byreturning to step 110. When incoming data has been detected at step 120,caller-ID device extracts the caller-ID data from the incoming callsignal at a step 130.

The caller-ID information extracted at step 130 is then compared tostored important-caller information to determine whether there is amatch. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this stepis performed by scanning the "important" caller memory area at a step140 and then determining at a step 150 whether any of the phone numbersstored therein match the phone number included in the caller-IDinformation.

When the caller-ID device determines at step 150 that there is amatching entry in the important-caller memory area (i.e., one of thephone numbers stored in the important-caller memory area matches thephone number included in the caller-ID information), the caller-IDdevice next determines at a step 160 whether the matching entry includesan announcement code. If the caller-ID device determines at step 160that the matching entry includes an announcement code, then thecaller-ID device processes the announcement code at a step 300. That is,the caller-ID device decodes the announcement code and performs whateveroperation is specified by the announcement code. Details of how thecaller-ID device processes an announcement code are provided below. If,however, no announcement code is included with the matching entry, thenthe caller-ID device merely displays the caller-ID information at step170. A termination point for the method is provided at a step 180.

Referring again to step 150, when the caller-ID device determines atstep 150 that there is not a matching entry in the important-callerinformation, then the received caller-ID information is compared to thereject-caller information to determine whether there is a match. Thatis, the caller ID device scans the reject-caller memory area at a step190, and then determines at a step 210 whether there is a matching entry(i.e., one of the phone numbers stored in the reject-caller memory areamatches the phone number included in the caller-ID information). Thecaller-ID device next determines at a step 220 whether the matchingentry includes a reject-caller code. If so, then the caller-ID deviceprocesses the reject-caller code at a step 400. That is, the caller-IDdevice decodes the reject-caller code and performs whatever operation isspecified by the reject-caller code. Details of how the caller-ID deviceprocesses a reject-caller code are provided below in the relevantsection. If, however, no reject-caller code is included with thematching entry, then the caller-ID device merely displays the caller-IDinformation at step 170.

Referring again to step 210, when the caller-ID device determines atstep 210 that there is no matching entry in the reject-callerinformation, then the caller-ID device determines at step 230 whetherthe caller-ID information corresponds to that of a blocked-caller. Ifnot, then the caller-ID device merely displays the caller-ID informationat step 170 as before. If, however, the caller-ID information indicatesa blocked-caller, then at a step 240 the caller-ID device determineswhether a reject-blocker mode is set in the device. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the caller-ID device determineswhether a reject-blocker mode is set by interrogating the state of aflag dedicated for that purpose.

If the reject-blocker mode is not set, then the caller-ID device merelyindicates to the user at a step 250 that a blocked call has beenreceived by, for example, displaying the word "BLOCKED" at display unit20. If, on the other hand, the reject-blocker mode is set, thencaller-ID device retrieves and processes the blocked-caller code at astep 500. That is, the caller-ID device decodes the blocked-caller codeand performs whatever operation is specified by the code. Details of howthe caller-ID device processes the blocked-caller code are providedbelow in the relevant section. A second termination point for the methodis provided at step 260.

A detailed description of the tagged components of FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)is provided in the following paragraphs.

1. Important Caller Code Processing

FIG. 3 is a flow-chart representation of the method for processing animportant caller code according to the present invention. A step 302provides an entry point for the method. At a step 304, the caller-IDdevice determines whether the announcement code corresponds to a VoiceAnnouncement Code (i.e, a code which causes the caller-ID device to makea voice announcement to the user when an incoming call is received froman important caller). In the preferred embodiment, a voice announcementcode corresponds to data indicating a single asterisk "*". If theannouncement code is a voice announcement code, then at a step 306, thecaller-ID device queues for playback the voice announcement recorded forthe specified important caller. Then, at a step 308, the caller-IDdevice outputs the specified voice announcement to the user.

If the caller-ID device determines at step 304 that the announcementcode does not correspond to a voice announcement code, then thecaller-ID device determines at a step 310 whether the announcement codecorresponds to an outgoing-message code (i.e., a code which causes thecaller-ID device to play a specified outgoing greeting for the importantcaller). In the preferred embodiment, an outgoing-message codecorresponds to data indicating two asterisks, "**". If the announcementcode is an outgoing-message code, then the caller-ID device at a step312 queues for playback the outgoing greeting recorded for the specifiedimportant caller. The caller-ID device next seizes the phone line at astep 314 and plays the specified outgoing greeting for the caller. Afterplaying the specified message, the caller-ID device releases the phoneline at a step 316 and goes back to an on-hook status.

If at the step 310, the caller-ID device determines that theannouncement code does not correspond to an outgoing message code, thenthe caller-ID device at a step 318 determines whether the announcementcode corresponds to a combined voice-announcement and outgoing-messagecode (i.e., for causing the caller-ID device to both make a voiceannouncement of an important caller and to play an outgoing greeting forthe important caller). In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a combined voice-announcement and outgoing-message code isrepresented by data indicating three asterisks, "***", appended to thematching entry (i.e., a combined voice-announcement code, "*", andoutgoing-message code, "**"). If the announcement code corresponds to acombined voice-announcement and outgoing-message code, then at a step320, the caller-ID device queues both the announcement recorded for thecaller and the specialized outgoing-greeting specified for the caller.At a step 322, the caller-ID device outputs the queued announcement forthe user, and at a step 324, it seizes the phone line and plays thequeued outgoing greeting for the caller. At a step 326, the caller-IDdevice releases the phone line and goes on-hook. A step 328 provides anexit point for the method.

If at step 318, the caller-ID device determine that the announcementcode does not correspond to a voice-announcement/outgoing-message code,then at a step 330 an error condition is declared.

2. Reject Caller Code Processing

FIG. 4 is a flow-chart representation of a method for processing areject-caller code according to the present invention. A step 402provides and entry point for the method. At a step 402 the caller-IDdevice determines whether the reject-caller code corresponds to ano-message code (i.e., a code for causing the caller-ID device todeactivate the ring alarm and to silently reject the call) In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, a no-message code isrepresented by data indicating a "#" appended to a reject-caller entry.If the reject-caller code corresponds to a no-message code, then at astep 406, the caller-ID device deactivates the ring alarm at a step andrejects the incoming call at a step 408.

If, conversely, the caller-ID device determines at step 404 that thereject-caller code does not correspond to a no-message code, then at astep 410 the caller-ID determines whether the reject-caller codecorresponds to a reject-message code (i.e., a code for causing thecaller-ID device to play a pre-recording reject message for a rejectcaller). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, areject-message code is represented by data indicating two number signs,"##" appended to a reject-caller entry. When the reject-caller codecorresponds to a reject-message code, the caller-ID device, at a step412, seizes the phone line and plays a pre-recorded reject message forthe caller. At a step 414, the caller-ID device releases the phone line.Then, at a step 408, the caller-ID device rejects the incoming call.

If at step 410, the caller-ID device determines that the reject-callercode does not correspond to a reject-message code, then at a step 416,the caller-ID device indicates an error condition. A step 418 providesan exit point for the method.

3. Blocked-Caller Code Processing

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are a flow-chart representation of a method forretrieving and processing blocked-caller codes is according to thepresent invention. A step 502 is an entry point for the method. At astep 504, the caller-ID device retrieves a blocked-caller code. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the blocked-caller codeis stored at a memory address specified for that purpose. Afterretrieving the blocked-caller code, the caller-ID 500 device determinesat a step 506 whether the blocked-caller code corresponds to ano-message code. If so, then, at a step 508, the caller-ID devicedeactivates the ring alarm and, at step 510, rejects the incoming call.

If the caller-ID device determines at step 506 that the blocked-callercode does not correspond to a no-message code, then at a step 512, thecaller-ID device determines whether the blocked-caller code correspondsto a reject-message code. When the blocked-caller code corresponds to areject-message code, the caller-ID device, at a step 514, seizes thephone line and plays a pre-recorded reject message for the caller. At astep 516, the caller-ID device releases the phone line. Then, at a step510, the caller-ID device rejects the incoming call.

If the caller-ID device determines at a step 512 that the blocked-callercode does not correspond to an reject-message code, then at a step 518,the caller-ID device determines whether the blocked-caller codecorresponds to a disable-blocking code (i.e., a code for causing thecaller-ID device to play a message requesting that the caller disablethe blocked-caller-ID feature and try again). When the reject- callercode corresponds to a disable-blocking code, the caller-ID device, at astep 520, seizes the phone line and plays a pre-recordeddisable-blocking message for the caller. At a step 522, the caller-IDdevice releases the phone line. Then, at a step 510, the caller-IDdevice rejects the incoming call.

If at step 518 the caller-ID device determines that the blocked-callercode does not correspond to a disable-blocking code, then at step 524,the caller-ID device determines whether the blocked-caller codecorresponds to a manual-reject code (i.e., a code for putting thecaller-ID device in a manual-reject mode). If the blocked-caller codecorresponds to a manual-reject code, then, at a step 526, the caller-IDdevice indicates to the user that a blocked-call has been received by,for example, playing a pre-recorded "blocker" announcement for the user.

Next, the caller-ID device sets a time interval at a step 528. Duringthe time interval the caller-ID device scans the user interface at astep 530, and determine, at a step 532, whether or not a "Man RJ" keyhas been pressed during the time interval. If the "Man RJ" key has notbeen pressed, then at a step 534 the caller-ID device determines whetherthe time interval has expired. If the time interval has expired, thenthe caller-ID device rejects the incoming call at a step 510. If, on theother hand, the time interval has not expired, then the caller-ID devicereturns to step 530 and scans the user interface again to determinewhether the "Man RJ" key has been pressed.

If the "Man RJ" key has been pressed, then processing proceeds to a step536 where the caller-ID device seizes the phone line and outputs apre-recorded reject message to the caller. After completing playback ofthe pre-recorded reject message, the caller-ID device releases the phoneline at a step 538 and rejects the incoming call at step 510. A step 540provides an exit point for the method.

D. Displaying Caller-ID Information for Call-Waiting Callers

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown one embodiment of a novel displaypanel for use in display 20 unit according to the present invention. Itincludes four rows/lines for the display of caller-ID information. Whenonly one incoming call is being processed, the caller-ID device showsthe complete caller-ID information for the caller in three of the fourrows of the display panel such as, for example, the second, third andfourth rows of the display panel (with respect to the top of thedevice). The information displayed includes, without limitation, thename of the caller, the phone number of the caller, and otherinformation about the caller, such as the time and date of the call.

When a second call is received on the call-waiting line, the caller-IDdevice re-displays the caller-ID information for the present caller in asummary form by, for example, shifting the name and/or phone number ofthe present caller to one row/line of the display panel 50, such as thefirst row. The caller-ID device then shows the complete caller-IDinformation of the call-waiting caller in the remaining three rows ofthe display panel 50.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a second embodiment of anovel display panel according to the present invention. Sequenceindicators 50 and 52 for indicating an order of the present and thecall-waiting callers are included in the display panel adjacent to thefirst and second rows/lines of the display unit. In the figures, thesequence indicators appear as the numbers "1" and "2" in Roman numeralform.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, sequence indicator 52 adjacent to the second row ofthe display unit is variable to indicate either a "1" or a "2".Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown representative data output on thedisplay panel of FIG. 7 for only one caller, John Smith. In this case,the caller-ID device illuminates the sequence indicator 52 adjacent tothe second row to indicate a "1", thereby conveying to the user that thecaller-ID information shown corresponds to the one caller, the firstcaller.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown representative data output on thedisplay panel of FIG. 7 for a first caller, John Smith, and a second,call-waiting caller, Mary Wong. In this case, the caller-ID devicere-displays the caller-ID information for the first caller in a summaryform by shifting the name of the first caller to the first row of thedisplay panel, and illuminates the sequence indicator 50 adjacent to thefirst row, thereby conveying to the user that the information in thefirst row corresponds to the first caller. The caller-ID deviceconcurrently shows the complete caller-ID) information for thecall-waiting caller in the second, third and fourth rows of the displaypanel, and illuminates the sequence indicator 52 adjacent to the secondrow to indicate a "2", thereby indicating to the user that theinformation in the second row corresponds to the second caller. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the sequence indicator 52adjacent to the second caller flashes to indicate that it is acall-waiting caller.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown yet another embodiment of a displayunit according to the present invention. Here, both of the sequenceindicators 54 and 52 are variable to indicate either a "1" or a "2". Inthis case, when the user is engaged with the first caller, the caller-IDdevice shows the complete caller-ID information for the first caller inthe second, third and fourth rows of the display panel, and thecaller-ID device illuminates the sequence indicator 52 adjacent to thesecond row to indicate a "1". When the caller-ID device receives a callfrom a second call-waiting caller, it displays the caller-ID informationof the second caller in summary form by, for example, displaying thename and/or phone number of the second caller in the first row of thedisplay panel, and illuminates the sequence indicator 54 adjacent to thefirst row to indicate a "2".

Thereafter, when the user switches to the second caller, the caller-IDdevice re-displays the caller-ID information for the first caller insummary form by, for example, shifting the name and/or number of thefirst caller to the first row, and illuminates the sequence indicator 54adjacent to the first row to indicate a "1". The caller-ID device thenshows the complete caller-ID information for the second caller in thesecond, third and fourth rows, and illuminates the sequence indicator 52adjacent to the second row to indicate a "2". In this manner, thecomplete caller-ID information for the caller with which the user ispresently engaged is always shown in the display panel. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the user switches between the firstand second caller by pressing the "FLASH" button on the caller-IDdevice.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown yet another embodiment of a displaypanel according to the present invention. It includes five rows/linesfor the display of caller-ID information including (from top to bottom)a first row 56 for displaying the name of a first caller, a second row58 for displaying the number of the first caller, a third row 60 fordisplaying the name of a second caller, a fourth row 62 for displayingthe phone number of the second caller, and a fifth row 64 for displayingadditional information related to the second caller including, but notlimited to, the time and the date associated with a second call. In thisembodiment, the summary form of the caller-ID information includes, forexample, both the name and phone number of the specified caller. Thedisplay panel also includes sequence indicators, 66 and 68, which areboth variable to display either a "1" or a "2".

Various alternate embodiments for the sequence indicators areencompassed by the present invention. For example, instead of being inthe form of Roman numerals, each sequence indicator may be in the formof 7 light-emitting segments arranged in the typical "figure 8"configuration used for the display of numbers. Alternatively, thesequence indicator may be in the form of a matrix of light emittingelements.

When the user is talking to one caller and has another caller, acall-waiting caller, on hold, it would be desirable for the user quicklyand efficiently determine the caller with whom he is presently talking.Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown an embodiment of the display panelof FIG. 11 where the sequence indicators 52 and 54 are replaced by thesymbols 70 and 72. Each symbol includes LCD elements portraying atelephone handset with sound waves directed toward the mouthpieceportion. When the user is engaged with a certain caller, the caller-IDdevice flashes the LCD elements of the sound wave portion of the symboladjacent to the engaged caller (i.e., the caller-ID information of thecaller). Alternatively, the caller-ID device "animates" the sound waveby illuminating each LCD element of the sound wave portion of the symbolin sequence (to similate a "moving" sound wave). The symbol adjacent tothe caller-ID information of the on-hold caller remains static, therebyindicating to the user that the corresponding caller is waiting.

Various alternate embodiments of symbols for indicating the caller withwhich the user is presently engaged are encompassed by the presentinvention. For example, instead of portraying a telephone handset andsound waves, the symbol can include LCD elements portraying both aclosed mouth and an open mouth. In this case, when the user is engagedwith a particular caller, the caller-ID device indicates a "talking"mouth adjacent to the engaged caller by alternately illuminating theLCDs portraying the open mouth and the LCDs portraying the closed mouth.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the symbols are replacedby LCD elements sufficient to spell out the words "TALK" and "WAIT".Hence, when the user is engaged with a particular caller, the caller IDdevice illuminates the word "TALK" adjacent to the caller-ID informationfor the engaged caller, and illuminates the word "WAIT" adjacent to thecaller-ID information of the waiting caller.

E. Dialing Phone Numbers

The caller-ID device of the present invention is configurable to dial aphone number shown in display unit 20. As described above, data storageunit 18 includes a caller-ID memory area for storing caller-IDinformation including, but not limited to, a plurality of phone numbers.Typically, each phone number includes both the seven digit phone numberand the area code of the caller. User interface 22 includes threedialing keys including a "7DIGITS" dialing key (not shown), a"AREA+7DIGITS" dialing key (not shown), and a "1+AREA+7DIGITS" dialingkey (not shown). User interface 22 also includes dialing signalgeneration circuitry which generates a "7DIGITS" dialing control signalin response to the "7DIGITS" dialing key being activated, an"AREA+7DIGITS" dialing control signal in response to the "AREA+7DIGITS"dialing key being activated, and a "1+AREA+7DIGITS" dialing controlsignal in response to the "1+AREA+7DIGITS" dialing key being activated.Controller 16 is responsive to the various dialing control signals tooperate dialing circuit 32 according to the particular dialing controlsignal received and the phone number selected from the caller-ID memoryarea of data storage unit 18.

FIG. 14 is a flow-chart representation of a method of dialing a phonenumber with the caller-ID device according to the present invention. Astep 600 provides an entry point for the method. At a step 602, the userselects a phone number for dialing by, for example, activating thecue/review keys of the user interface 22 to review caller informationstored in data storage unit 18.

When the desired phone number is shown in display unit 20, the usercauses the caller-ID device to dial the selected phone number bypressing one of the three dialing keys (not shown) of user interface 22.At a step 604, the caller-ID device scans user interface 22 to determinewhether a key has been pressed. When the caller-ID device determines ata step 606 that the user has pressed the "7DIGITS" dialing key, thecaller-ID device, at a step 608, seizes the telephone line and dials thelast seven digits of the selected phone number only. When caller-IDdevice determines at a step 610 that the user has pressed the"AREA+7DIGITS" dialing key, then the caller-ID device, at a step 612,seizes the telephone line and dials the area code and the last sevendigits of the selected phone number. When the caller-ID devicedetermines at a step 614 that the user has pressed the "1+AREA+7DIGITS"dialing key, then the caller-ID device, at a step 616 seizes thetelephone line and dials a "1", the area code, and the last seven digitsof the selected phone number. A step 618 provides an exit point for themethod.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is apparent that the present invention provides aconvenient apparatus and method for dialing a selected phone numberaccording to varied dialing requirements; a convenient and economicalapparatus and method for simultaneously displaying the caller-IDinformation for a present caller and a call-waiting caller; and aconvenient apparatus and method for processing caller-ID information.

While the above is a complete description of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, various modifications, alternative constructions, andequivalents may be used. For example, it is not required that thecomplete caller-ID information be shown on the second, third and fourthrows of the display unit. The complete caller-ID information may bedisplayed on any combination of rows and/or lines of the display unit.Furthermore, the name and/or arrangement of keys in the user interface;the form and/or content of messages or alarms generated by caller-IDdevice; and the specific name and/or form of an instruction codeappended to stored data are not critical and may vary. Accordingly, theabove description should not be taken as limiting the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A caller-ID device for displaying caller-IDinformation to a user, said device comprising:means for displaying afirst caller's information in a complete form at a particular position;means for receiving a second caller-ID transmission including a secondcaller's information; means for re-displaying said first caller'sinformation in a summary form at another position, when the activecaller changes from one caller to another caller; and means fordisplaying said second caller's information in said complete form atsaid particular position concurrently with re-displaying said firstcaller's information in said summary form at said other position whenthe active caller changes from one caller to another caller.
 2. Thecaller-ID device of claim 1, further comprising:a switch means forselecting between a first display mode and a second display mode;wherein said first display mode comprises said first caller'sinformation being displayed in a complete form concurrently with saidsecond caller's information being displayed in a summary form; andwherein said second display mode comprises said first caller'sinformation being displayed in a summary form concurrently with saidsecond caller's information being displayed in a complete form.
 3. Thecaller-ID device of claim 2, wherein said switch means corresponds to aflash key.
 4. In a caller-ID device, a method of displaying caller-IDinformation to a user, said method comprising the steps of:displaying afirst caller's caller-ID information in a complete form at a particularposition; displaying a second caller's caller-ID information in asummary form at another position, concurrently with said step ofdisplaying said first caller's caller-ID information; selecting saidsecond caller's caller-ID information for displav in said complete formwhen active caller changes from one caller to another caller;re-displaying said first caller's caller-ID information in said summaryform at said other position; and re-displaying said second caller'scaller-ID information in said complete form at said particular position,concurrently with said step of re-displaying said first caller'scaller-ID in said summary form at said other position.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said first caller's caller-ID information correspondsto a present caller and said second caller's caller-ID informationcorresponds to a call-waiting caller.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinsaid first caller's caller-ID information corresponds to a call-waitingcaller and said second caller's caller-ID information corresponds to apresent caller.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising the stepsof:selecting said second caller's caller-ID information for display insaid complete form; re-displaying said first caller's caller-IDinformation in said summary form; and re-displaying said second caller'scaller-ID information in said complete form concurrently with said stepof re-displaying said first caller's caller-ID information in saidsummary form.
 8. In a caller-ID device, a method for displayingcaller-ID information to a user, said method comprising the stepsof:displaying a first caller's caller-ID information in a complete format a particular position; receiving a second caller's caller-IDinformation; re-displaying said first caller's caller-ID information ina summary form when the active caller changes from one caller to anothercaller; displaying said second caller's caller-ID information in saidcomplete form at said particular position concurrently with said step ofre-displaying said first caller's caller-ID information in said summaryform at another position.
 9. The method of claim 4, further comprising astep of indicating a call order for said first and second caller. 10.The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of indicating a statusfor said first and second caller as either engaged with the user orwaiting.
 11. A caller-ID device for displaying caller-ID information toa user comprising:a caller-ID receiver for receiving caller-IDinformation; a caller-ID memory for storing caller-ID information; adisplay panel including a plurality of display elements arranged inplurality of rows, said plurality of rows including:a first set of oneor more rows at a particular position adapted to display caller-IDinformation in a complete form; and a second set of one or more rows atanother position adapted to display caller-ID information in a summaryform; and a display controller having an input coupled to said caller-IDreceiver and to said caller-ID memory, and an output coupled to saiddisplay panel; wherein said display controller is configured to outputan active caller's caller-ID information on said display panel in saidcomplete form using said first set of rows, and to concurrently outputanother caller's caller-ID information on said display panel in saidsummary form using said second set of rows, whenever there is a changeof active caller from one caller to another caller wherein said activecaller's caller-ID information is always presented using said first setof rows.
 12. The caller-ID device of claim 11, further comprising aswitch coupled to said display controller, and wherein said displaycontroller is further configured to select between a first display modeand a second display mode responsive to said switch;wherein said firstdisplay mode comprises said first caller's caller-ID information beingoutput on said display panel in said complete form concurrently withsaid second caller's caller-ID information being output on said displaypanel in said summary form; and wherein said second display modecomprises said second caller's caller-ID information being output onsaid display panel in said complete form concurrently with said firstcaller's caller-ID information being output on said display panel insaid summary form.
 13. The caller-ID device of claims 11, wherein saiddisplay panel further comprises a first sequence indicator adjacent tosaid first set of one or more rows, and a second sequence indicatoradjacent to said second set of one or more rows, said first and secondsequence indicators for indicating a call order of a first and secondcaller corresponding to said first caller's caller-ID information andsaid second caller's caller-ID information, respectively.
 14. Thecaller-ID device of claim 11, wherein said display panel furthercomprises a first status indicator adjacent to said first set of one ormore rows, and a second status indicator adjacent to said second set ofone or more rows, said first and second status indicators for indicatinga talking/waiting status of a first and second caller corresponding tosaid first caller's caller-ID information and said second caller'scaller-ID information, respectively.
 15. A caller-ID device fordisplaying caller-ID information to a user, said device comprising:acaller-ID receiver for receiving caller-ID information; a caller-IDmemory for storing caller-ID information; a display panel including aplurality of display elements, said plurality of display elementsarranged into:a first display position at a first particular position; asecond display position at a second particular position; and a caller-IDstatus information area for displaying caller-ID status information foran active call presented on one of said positions; a display controllerhaving an input coupled to said caller-ID receiver and to said caller-IDmemory, and an output coupled to said display panel; wherein saiddisplay controller is configured to output a first caller's caller-IDinformation on said display panel at a particular one of said displaypositions, to concurrently output another caller's caller-ID informationon said display panel at a secondary one of said display positions, andto concurrently present caller-ID status information at said caller-IDstatus information area for whichever of said calls is an active callwhenever there is a change of active caller from one caller to anothercaller.
 16. In a caller-ID device, a method for displaying caller-IDinformation to a user, said method comprising the steps of:displaying afirst caller's caller-ID information in a complete form at a particularposition on a display having a character length less than a number ofcharacters transmitted in an automatic number identification (ANI)signal transmitted from a telecommunications provider; receiving asecond caller's caller-ID information; re-displaying said first caller'scaller-ID information in a summary form, when the active caller changesfrom one caller to another caller; displaying said second caller'scaller-ID information in said complete form at said particular positionconcurrently with said step of re-displaying said first caller'scaller-ID information in said summary form at another position.